5th Avenue

Dear Fragrance Angel, You were so RIGHT ON about Elizabeth Arden's 5th Avenue... The first 30 minutes of this was good -- But once the dry down starts -- this is really such a BEAUTIFUL perfume - ON! This is one of those that really snuck up on me, I didn't expect this one to blend this well with my chemistry. There were moments in the wear of 5th Ave where it reminds me of a lighter day wear/office friendly version of Gabrielle Essence by Channel (another yellow/white floral perfume). 5th Avenue has less silage, is more classic, softer, more gentle version of Gabrielle Essence. These two are different enough where you could have both in your collection, particularly if you really like these floral notes in perfumes. If you like one, you will probably like the other... they have enough commonalities where you should try both. Wow, when this starts blending in with the chemistry -- this is such a gorgeous perfume. Midway through the dry-down phase, I detect notes that are more of a light spicy oriental flavor which reminds me of Ysatis, but a lighter/less intrusive spicy floral.... almost like the younger sister (or possibly daughter) of Ysatis by Givenchy). This has a similar floral essence to some perfumes in the sunshine-y yellow floral family like Jessica Simpson's Vintage Bloom, which is another one of my all time favorites for spring/summer. The overall essence of this perfume reminds me of another one of my very favorite spring/summer florals - Burberry London... Park Avenue would be a sister fragrance to BL, for sure! If someone likes perfume, but prefers more of a gentle essence of perfume -- leaning towards a body spray or light EDT - this one is perfect. I'm really starting to like 5th Avenue! You are so RIGHT about this one! AND - it is priced so reasonable! Thank you for recommending 5th Avenue! I think this is a new lighter perfume that may have good longevity - about 8 hours or so. This is one of those perfumes where it is so light that you forget that you have it on, then move - catch a whiff of this -- and it is just simply AMAZING ON! This is classically refined and smells like a high end finely milled soap. This is clean, attractive, a definite nod towards what a career woman would wear if they were on their way up in the corporate world or any office environment, a CEO could definitely wear this, this is also a perfume that is just as at home in the board room as at top restaurants in the city -- or country. This perfume is perfect for day wear at the office -- or could also be a perfume that you wear for any social activity. This is classically elegant, understated, refined, feminine, attractive without being overtly sexy. This is well blended, this is a perfume that feels comfortable in its own skin, it isn't forcing anything or trying too hard - but just comes across as pulled together and like "You Got This"! Signature Worthy? Most Definitely! This perfume is versatile enough to double for day to evening wear - and could be worn in every season, but would probably shine best in the spring/summer/early fall. This perfume is non-offensive, fairly modest, an easy reach that would be extremely versatile. This is soft enough where you could wear this at the gym, yoga classes without having to fear that someone may take offense to an overly strong perfume. This is a gateway floral perfume, meaning -- that if you are someone who has never worn florals before, this one may be a good place to start -- a great introduction to see how this wears with your chemistry. This is a gentle floral, less "in your face" than some others that I have sampled or worn. This would be a great perfume for any woman of any age. (I say women, because this leans more feminine with florals -- although probably anyone could wear this, the overall effect of this perfume is that of a finely milled high end soap - clean, fresh, and attractive without being overtly sexy). THANK YOU!!!!!!! I really, REALLY LIKE THIS ONE! Once this hits the dry down - this moves into a LOVE! It is really fabulous ON --- AND it lasts over 12 hours on my skin! I can still smell a slight trace of this at 12 hours! Fabulous! As with a lot of other perfumes, this perfume takes a little bit of time to reach the dry down phase. The first 30 min. - hour of this were not as good as this became after it was worn longer. Don't judge this one too quickly, let this set on the skin longer - and see how this blends with your chemistry. This is one of the best perfumes that I've tried, this past 3 years... and believe me, I've been on a complete mission to find perfumes that I really love! ------------ Linden blossoms! OK, that may be one of the reasons that I like this so much - Eau du Ciel had Linden Blossoms in it! One of my very best memories of having a cup of tea was when I ordered some Linden tea from eBay - and poured myself some hot water, steeping this tea while classical piano music played in the background. It was heavenly! That tea is gorgeous - and wholesome. There is something classic and elegant about it, but also very down to earth. I really liked it. No, I really LOVED it! ; ) ------------- Be aware that they have reformulated this - and the two versions are very different perfumes. In fact, they are so different that I would treat them as if they are completely different perfumes, all together. -------------- I ordered the Vintage version to compare the two formulas. This has some things in common with Estee Lauder's Azuree (it appears like a lighter/softer version). The Vintage is completely different. It is much stronger, it starts with a blend that is more lemon-like, bitter, sour. With my chemistry, the Vintage starts with a blend that smells as if cassis has been added to the formula, which is one of the only chemicals that causes my skin to turn acidic almost like cat urine. I can't wear this Vintage blend as well as the newer blend. This lightens up as the perfume wears on the skin, but the newer formula that I tried at Macy's (and wrote the first part of the review on) is much better with my chemistry. The Vintage version of 5th Avenue smells as if it is a predecessor for the Light Blue brand of perfumes. If you really like the notes of strong lemon, you will probably like the Vintage version (I would definitely try it, you never know -- chemistry is personal - it is based on your diet and the chemicals that are in your system; you may like it) . Cassis is not mentioned in the list of ingredients, so it could just be something that is taking on a smell that is similar to the note of cassis. (This smells like ivy, a strange green note with my chemistry). The Vintage blend does not harmonize with my chemistry as well as the newer formula. This is a first, because I normally like the Vintage version much more than the newer formula. In this case, they have really improved the formula where it is much more wearable. Bravo! (And NO, this is not mentioned where perfumers start changing the original formulas -- because this is TOTALLY RARE that I would like the newer formula as well or better than the original). This could be an acquired taste - as the Vintage wears over an hour in wear, it is becoming more tolerable - and less fierce. Time will tell. The first hour was not the best, this second hour is starting to become a better blend (but not as good as the newer formula).

My bottle is a few years old (2018 or ‘19) so I can’t speak for possible newer formulations. The version I have has good silage and longevity. It lasts at least 8 hours (I’ve sprayed this before bed in the past and it was still there in the morning, faintly, but noticeable). After about 4-5 hours it becomes more of a skin scent though. It is also a light and subtle scent so it’s never overly present (so it’s office safe). 5th Avenue reminds me of a mother, not because it’s a particularly motherly scent, and it doesn’t remind me of my own mother either, but I’m pretty sure my friend’s mum wore this when it came out in the 90s. I would’ve been around 12 and it’s strongly ingrained in my memory to associate this with someone’s mum. It is not however an ‘old lady scent’. In fact I think it’s quite fresh and young. It smells very classy and sophisticated, like others have pointed out, but in an elegant sophisticated woman sense who could be any age. I suppose for very young people this could feel somewhat on the mature side, due to it being so sophisticated and elegant, in that sense it does have ‘grown-up’ vibes. But being grownup doesn’t automatically make one old (unless you’re 5, then it’s perfectly legitimate to call anyone over the age of 12 old). What I love about this scent is that it’s wonderfully fresh and youthful. It’s such a bright, happy fragrance. It’s a perfect scent for spring and summer. It has a beautiful dewy quality, almost watery, without being aquatic, which makes this shine softly when wearing this. It’s absolutely amazing how they managed to make a scent so happy and bubbly, yet still give that sense of pearl necklaces and elegant clothes. It’s what the rich lady might wear strolling along the boulevard, one perfectly manicured hand on her white wide brimmed hat to hold it in place. She’s the picture of class, enjoying the sun on a happy carefree day. This scent is fresh and dewy, but soft and sweet at the same time. When first sprayed it reminds me of freshly washed linens. Later on I get hints of sunscreen (but only a hint), and there’s something soapy about it too, without it smelling like soap.. just a cleanness , like you just washed yourself with a creamy soap, but over it all there’s always a very light and bright freshness. I’m not entirely sure which note it is. Due to the amount of notes it’s not easy to pick out the individual ones, especially since this is very well blended. The scent is beautifully complex, different notes come forward at different times. One moment it’s lilac, then jasmine, then tuberose. On each sniff I pick up on something else. The ones that do come forward are the florals. The fruits and spices have supporting roles and don’t take the main stage. Surprisingly this fragrance isn’t powdery to my nose at all. With lilac, violet, Iris, musk and rose all being present, I would expect it to be at least somewhat powdery in nature, but there’s no powder whatsoever, it’s dewy. That’s the only word to describe this with. It’s the dewy quality that keeps this so fresh and youthful, if it had actually been powdery, then it may well have felt like a very mature fragrance. It would have lost its happy, sunny character, but this dewy freshness keeps it alive, sparkly and bubbly. It’s such a pretty fragrance! I did have to get used to it, because it’s not in my usual preferred scent profile. I lean more towards the warm, mossy and spicy, but It’sa wonderful scent for sunny days when I just want to feel happy and carefree. It’s interesting how a scent can be so classy and sophisticated, yet simultaneously makes me want to chase bubbles (albeit elegantly) like a child. And that is why I love this fragrance!

Versatile, Layerable, Floral Classic... Like a strand of pearls you can wear with everything from street wear, to a red carpet gown, this is a high quality, classic floral scent despite the inexpensive price. I first smelled it when I was given my first bottle by a close girlfriend at university. I really liked it then, but I've come to love this more over the years and even regard it as a masterpiece. Signed by perfumer Ann Gottlieb, it's a versatile, classic floral with magnolia, lilac, lily of the valley and other florals. I like it alone or layered over the matching body lotion, but more recently I've discovered that it's also a great scent for layering, and layers easily with other scents. Opens with a floral burst of magnolia, lily of the valley, linden blossom and lilac with citrus & green touches, that continues into a floral heart, shedding its citrus touches and taking on fluffy, light, fresh, rosy, powdery, whipped & velvety qualities, all resting on a musky, vanillic amber-woody base . On the skin I get a vanillic, soapy, perfume-y vibe, and in the air I get magnolia, rose, lilac & faint tuberose. On my skin this is slightly above average performance with a classic sweet-leaning floral scent profile. Overall: Versatile scent profile with slightly above average performance. It's a longtime love for me. 10/10. Contrast to Champs Elysées Guerlain: These are different, but there is some similarity in the sweet floral bouquet with lilac & lily of the valley, as well as peach, violet and sandalwood in the drydown. However, Champs Elysées is more powdery in the top, and has the more forward mimosa. Contrast to J'Adore Dior: These are different, but there are some similarities with magnolia, lily of the valley, peach, tuberose & violet. However J'Adore is more fruity and aquatic in the opening with pear & melon. It layers well with other Elizabeth Arden scents, ambers musks & woods you want to add floral sweetness too, and other florals. The possibilities are nearly endless, but I like to layer it to bring out either the magnolia or the lilac. Some of my favourite layering combos with this are: To bring out the magnolia: 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + Acqua di Parma Magnolia Nobile 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + Curious Britney Spears 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + L'Instant de Guerlain EDT Guerlain 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + Eau So Beautiful Christina Aguilera 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + Be 100% Delicious Donna Karan 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + Cabotine Rosalie Grès 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + 4711 Magnolia Eau de Cologne To bring out the lilac: 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + Pleasures Intense Estée Lauder 5th Avenue Elizabeth Arden + 4711 Lilac Eau de Cologne

MAGNOLIA Cultivation. With a strand of pearls and a classic six on Manhattan's upper east side, this is the scent I could imagine Charlotte form Sex in the City wearing. Signed by perfumer Ann Gottlieb, this beauty was love at first scent for me when it was released. Opens with a floral burst of magnolia represented by lily of the valley, linden blossom and lilac with citrus & green touches, that continues into a floral heart, shedding its citrus touches and taking on fluffy, light, fresh, rosy, powdery, whipped & velvety qualities, all resting on a musky, vanillic amber-woody base . On the skin I get a vanillic, soapy, perfume-y vibe, and in the air I get magnolia, rose, lilac & faint tuberose. Overall this reads as an magnolia scent to my nose. This has been reformulated, but in the air it smells the same to me, with the only difference I can detect being greener and soapier on the skin during the opening. On my skin this is slightly above average performance with a elegant, classic scent profile. Contrast to Vera Wang Vera Wang: These have been compared, and there may be similarities, but I find them very different. VW has a more 'perfume-y' vibe with some sharper facets, and a stronger performance. Contrast to Honey by Marc Jacobs: Another scent signed by Ann Gottlieb, there are different but with a similar magnolia vibe. Honey has honeysuckle more forward in the mix. Performance is roughly equivalent. Contrast to Versace Pour Femme Versace: Different scents, but similarities with a representation of magnolia. VPF is a stronger wearing experience, and leans more to scents like J'Adore Dior. Contrast to Jolie Fleur Verte Tory Burch: These are different, but my first impression of JFV was that I was smelling 5th avenue, and there is a similar vibe with a forward magnolia with citrus touches. 5th Avenue is the closest scent profile to JFV that I've smelt, but 5th Avenue is a stronger performer that can also be layered over its matching body lotion, making it appropriate for cooler weather. Contrast to Something Blue Oscar de la Renta: Also signed by perfumer Ann Gottlieb, these are different but there is a bit of 5th Avenue in here. SB leans more green-garden florals with green notes more forward, along the lines of Jardins de Bagatelle Guerlain. Performance is roughly equivalent in these two. Overall: Versatile scent profile with slightly above average performance, this is the perfect scent to wear with a strand of pearls, or for cultivating your inner elegance. It's a longtime love for me. 10/10 for a classic floral. Enjoy!

5th Avenue by Elizabeth Arden is a true "pillar" of 90s perfumery. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be class. It is a fragrance that does not scream to be noticed, but stands out for its measured, luminous and timeless elegance. A discreet luxury bouquet. Despite the endless list of notes, 5th Avenue is surprisingly harmonious. It is not a "heavy" perfume, but rather an airy and sophisticated floral. The Opening (The Garden in Bloom): Freshly sprayed, the Linden Blossom dominates. It is a rare and wonderful note that gives a clean, almost light honey and dewy scent. Lilac and Lily of the Valley accentuate this feeling of fresh spring in New York. The Heart: After about 20 minutes, the richest character emerges. Jasmine and Tuberose add femininity, while Peach and Violet soften the tones. The Carnation and Nutmeg give that "spicy" and dry touch that prevents the fragrance from becoming too sweet or cloying. The Bottom (The silky trail): The finish is dry, clean and reassuring. Iris gives a powdery nuance, while Sandalwood and Musk create a creamy base that lingers on the skin like a silk scarf. It's the perfect perfume for the woman who loves the "Old Money" style or the "Clean Girl" look before they even became trends on social media. It is the king of daytime perfumes, reassuring and never intrusive for those around you. Seasonality: It shines in spring and autumn, when the air is fresh and the white flowers can "breathe" without being suffocated by the scorching heat. Longevity: Moderate. Being an Elizabeth Arden classic, it lasts well (about 5-6 hours), but tends to become a "skin scent" after the first two hours. Unbeatable price: It is often found at very affordable prices despite seeming like a niche perfume. Not very "modern": If you are looking for sugary or gourmand scents (strong caramel/vanilla style), this might seem too serious for you. Versatility: It goes well with jeans and a white shirt as well as with an elegant suit. Discrete sillage: It's not a "room-filling" scent, it's very intimate. Olfactory Signature: It is an immediately recognizable and very chic classic. 5th Avenue is not a perfume for those who want to shock, but for those who want to convey confidence and sophistication. If you love the smell of freshly bloomed white flowers and the "luxury soap" feel, it's an almost safe blind buy.